Everyone is always looking for “The Next Big Thing”. Well, combine that with another cliche – history is destined to repeat itself – and mix it with a crappy economy and what do you have? The resurgence of the poker, casino and gambling niche.

Saying the United States Economy is in a state of shock would be a compliment at this point. When you’re in shock you don’t move at all but the current economy can’t seem to run downhill far enough. The word “bailout” has been used quite freely as the new administration and law makers look for some way – ANY way – to revive the once promising economy. At this point, it appears they intend on retrieving coins they threw in the wishing well several years ago.

As reported by Reuters:

A senior Democratic lawmaker said on Thursday he would push to pass legislation to repeal a three-year-old U.S. ban on Internet gambling that has hurt trade ties with European Union.

“I’m going to be pushing it,” House of Representatives Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank told reporters at a press conference to lay out his agenda for reforming U.S. financial regulation.

In 2006 the US put regulations in place that crippled the American portion of many overseas gambling operations. But gambling is big business, big money and now the United States wants (and needs) its part. The initial argument was that these operations take money out of the US economy… but if the regulations enforced were focused on TAXING these operations that would be a completely different story, wouldn’t it? According to the article, $52 billion dollars in taxes could be generated over the next decade by lifting the ban.

It’s in the government and economy’s best interest to deregulate the gambling industry and put in place new regulations that enforce a new agenda – so I suppse re-regulate. Adding the United States as a target market for online casinos will mean a lot of money and more importantly a MAD RUSH by these companies to sign up American Customers who have been locked out of the betting tables for so long.

To lure these customers back I’m sure they’ll offer huge rewards and guess who stands to cash in? Affiliates. Keep a close eye on this ladies and gentlemen because Poker/Casino/Gambling could be revived as one of the biggest affiliate markets. Sure the niche is already super saturated, but prices are down and competition is lower than it has been before. Now would be the time to buy up some related domains/sites and get your mini-gambling affiliate empire ready for Round 2.